Wine of Violence: A Medieval Mystery

This first effort from Priscilla Royal in the Prioress Eleanor series is a good book. The second in the series is a very good book, and the third (which is as far as I have read yet) is an *extremely* good book. With each installment, Royal's narrative voice grows more confident and graceful. This first one relies a bit too heavily on characters talking out loud to themselves to reveal their thoughts, but this tendency eases up in the later novels. Otherwise, even in her first book, her technique is solid and the story moves along smartly, with no reliance on stereotype and a willingness to let the characters - and their judgment of other characters - evolve. Royal writes with compassion, intelligence, and historicity. Royal's setting is thirteenth-century Britain, and hers are not the only convent-based mystery books to use this setting. However, they are among the best. She uses the "double house" setting - a convent which holds both female and male religious - and, in a break from all the series I know, immediately introduces a bisexual major character whose main orientation is to a person of their own gender. Well! We've been waiting for THIS for a long time! Thank you, Ms. Royal. And thanks to her also for the detailed postscript, providing historical context and a bibliography for those so entranced with her fiction that they want to track down the facts. Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series is set in a double house convent in Ireland, and while the Sister Fidelma books are intriguing, I think I may prefer Priscilla Royal's Prioress Eleanor. Other medieval mystery writers I favor are, first and foremost always, Margaret Frazer for her two series (Dame Frevisse and Joliffe) and close on her heels, Roberta Gellis for her Magdalene la Batarde books, even though the later episodes in that series are small-press editions and almost impossible to find. Now, Royal is giving Gellis heavy competition for my #2 spot. Other good bodies of work you might like if you like Prioress Eleanor include the Brother Cadfael books by Ellis Peters and Sharon Kay Penman's medieval novels. Fiona Buckley writes the Ursula Blanchard series which is set about 300 years later, but still probably a good choice for someone who enjoys Priscilla Royal's series. I don't mention all these others to divert you from the Prioress Eleanor books. I mention them to show you the kind of lofty literary company Priscilla Royal is entitled to keep in this genre. Applause, applause!

Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal Eleanor of Wynethorpe, daughter of one of King Henry III's most favored barons, is appointed prioress of Tyndal, a small branch of the prestigious, powerful Fontevraud monastery. She is only twenty, very young for the post, and it is no surprise that her capabilities are mistrusted and her appointment resented. Worst of all, upon her arrival, first one than two more murders occur, and Eleanor must deal with a now terrified flock. Brother Thomas, a young priest with a troubled past, also has just arrived at Tyndal. The wary but increasingly respectful relationship between the young prioress and priest sets the tone for the story's theme of destructive and redemptive love. Further complicating the plot are class distinctions within the monastery, and the over 200 year mistrust of the Saxon villagers toward the predominately Norman aristocratic clergy. The Order of Fontevraud was one of the rare orders of double houses where a woman was in charge of both male and female monastics. The mother house was in France: there were four daughter houses in England. The author does a credible job attempting to recreate the design of a double house monastery, as well as its surrounding village on the remote East Anglian coast. In her Forward she notes that some of the most independent, highly educated and powerful women in history lived during the medieval time, and that in some orders nuns had relative freedom and awareness of secular life. Yet, Eleanor and her sister nuns are held back by the commonly held belief of many monks that women were incapable of deep thought, and that it was "unnatural for Adam to be ruled by Eve." The lengthy Forward explains the Fontevraud Order, its famous female devotees, and elements of period social life that allow for a greater appreciation of the story. This is the first of two Eleanor of Wynethorpe mysteries.

I've been reading a number of fine medieval mysteries but this one happens to be one the finest. Ms. Royal's debut, The Wine of Violence is an excellent first. It is winter of the year 1270 in a remote part of East Anglican coast. A new young prioress takes over an abbey frought with superstition, intrigue and murder. A monk's body is found to be mutilated in the garden. Politics, lust and the true goodness of the human spirit are abound in The Wine of Violence. It will bring a tear to the eye. A story that will stay with you. A must read.

For those that love a good mystery, for those that love history accurately portrayed, this is the book to own. A wonderfully entertaining read. Hopefully, I look forward to further adventures of Eleanor, Anne, Thomas and the cat.

In the civil war between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort, Eleanor of Wynethorpe's family sided with the king. Eleanor's brother is a close friend of Prince Edward and her mother is a dear friend of the queen. As a reward for loyal service to the crown, Eleanor is appointed prioress of Tyndale Priory. This political reward is resented by the sisters and monks who reside there. Not long after Eleanor steps foot on the priory Brother Rubert is murdered.Brother Thomas, who is at the priory to find out why their financial solvency has dwindled, becomes involved in the murder inquiry. When he is attacked and left for dead, Eleanor believes the same person is responsible for the murder and the attack. Life turns more dangerous when someone tries to attack the prioress in her sleeping quarters. Using people she trusts, a trap is baited to catch a killer.WINE OF VIOLENCE is a fascinating look at medieval life in the year 1270 during the reign of King Henry III. Readers read about sexual predators enjoying the largesse of the Catholic Church and how secular choices are made for religious appointments. Priscilla Royal is a talented storyteller entertains and educates her audience with this regal historical.Harriet Klausner